OpenAI plans to discontinue its popular-for-a-hot-second Sora video app, as the company says it's looking to narrow its focus and its human and computer resources.
Why it matters:OpenAI is prioritizing capital, chips and enterprise products over experimental bets as it faces increased competition from Anthropic and Google.
HOUSTON — Microsoft and Nvidia are joining forces on a new initiative aimed at breaking nuclear power bottlenecks to build plants swiftly, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said Tuesday.
Why it matters: The initiative is the latest example of the tech industry leaning on nuclear's emerging potential to deal with AI's voracious energy needs.
McDonald's is turning K-pop fandom into a full-on food fight — complete with shake-your-own fries.
The big picture: The fast-food giant's latest collab with Netflix shows how aggressively it's leaning into entertainment, global flavors and fandom culture to drive traffic — and turn menu drops into cultural moments.
OpenAI is pushing deeper into shopping with ChatGPT, as retailers like Walmart and Gap split on who should control checkout.
Why it matters: The storefront may be shifting from websites to AI chats — but early indicators suggest shoppers still prefer to hit "buy" the old-fashioned way.
Army paratroopers are heading to the Middle East as President Trump weighs options to quickly end the Iran war, now entering its fourth week.
Why it matters: Putting U.S. boots on the ground in Iran would escalate the conflict, but the Trump administration has made no secret that it desires to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore the flow of oil.
Organizers across the U.S. are planning more than 3,000 local events Saturday for No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action.
The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect Saturday's nationwide demonstrations to surpass last year's No Kings rallies in June and October.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is suing Booz Allen Hamilton in federal court after his tax returns were leaked along with those of other wealthy Americans, including President Trump and Elon Musk.
Why it matters: The tech and management consulting firm is already facing retribution from the Trump administration, which cancelled all of its contracts with the Treasury Department in January.
The Economist Group is restructuring its business to bring together its enterprise products under one brand, Leon Saunders Calvert, president and managing director of the new Economist Enterprise unit, told Axios.
The big picture: News organizations that serve professionals are leaning more heavily into events, data and information services to drive revenue that can be used to bolster their editorial ambitions.
Beehiiv, a newsletter platform for independent creators and publishers, has introduced an update that allows users to manage and optimize their accounts from the AI platform of their choice, CEO and co-founder Tyler Denk told Axios.
Why it matters: Without the support of larger institutions, many of the creators that use Beehiiv are responsible for so much more than just writing.
CarMax's financial analysts and Instacart's software engineers rank among the top roles in an index, out Tuesday, that rates U.S. employers on how well they support workers' upward mobility.
Why it matters: Where you work increasingly determines whether you'll get promoted or get stuck. This first "Where You Work Matters" list is designed to reward employers who help workers move up and expose those who don't.
The ratings of 1,750 employers (across 55,000 occupations) were assembled by the Schultz Family Foundation and the Burning Glass Institute, in partnership with Harvard Business School's Managing the Future of Work Project.
TikTok on Tuesday introduced a slew of new ad products designed to help brands tell higher-impact stories, beyond what they could do on traditional television or standard mobile video ads.
Why it matters: TikTok's huge reach has made it a must-buy for performance advertisers looking to sell goods or drive tune-in for shows. Now, executives told Axios, it's making it easier for marketers tell bigger brand stories at culturally relevant moments.
Utah's health care system is heavily consolidated among a few hospital systems — a dynamic associated with rising costs, according to an analysis from Yale's new Health Care Affordability Lab.
Why it matters: A federal report last year found hospital mergers drove price hikes for care — 6% to 65% — and costs "increase significantly for neighboring hospitals as well."
Workers, especially those with a college degree, think the job market is awful, a new Gallup analysis out Tuesday finds.
Why it matters: They could be on to something. Although the unemployment rate is relatively low at the moment, hiring has slowed a lot, particularly for professionals.
Minneapolis City Council members will consider a $38 million training facility for police, firefighters and other first responders on Tuesday.
Why it matters: The proposal is shaping up to be the hardest lesson yet on what a court-enforceable MPD reform plan — meant to reshape the department in the wake of George Floyd's murder — will cost Minneapolis.
Opponents are digging in. They're calling the proposal "Cop City 2.0," echoing a moniker for a similar facility in Atlanta that sparked years of lawsuits, protests and violent clashes that drew national attention.
The Department of Defense announced a new media policy on Monday, three days after a federal judge ruled Trump administration restrictions on Pentagon journalists were a First Amendment violation.
The big picture: The Pentagon said in a memorandum announcing the changes that it's complying with the ruling in the New York Times lawsuit, but press groups accused the administration of placing fresh restrictions on journalists with the new policy.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) was confirmed to succeed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a 54-45 vote mostly along party lines on Monday evening.
Why it matters: The vote comes as Homeland Security is at the center of funding impasse that has caused hours-long lines at airports nationwide with Democrats demanding new curbs on ICE before they'll agree to more funding.
HOUSTON — Former Defense Secretary James Mattis offered a sobering take Monday on the Strait of Hormuz, criticizing the Trump administration for what he saw as a failure to think strategically about Iran.
Why it matters: The CERAWeek conference here has been clouded by uncertainty over the future of a conflict that's bringing historic supply disruptions — and upending industry planning in the process.
